Forbidden Stowaway by Arabella Sheen

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Forbidden StowawayForbidden Stowaway by Arabella Sheen

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Unknown, but presumably more installments will follow

Release Date: April 18, 2023

When word reaches her that her brother’s ship was captured and her brother, Joseph is missing, Olivia Trevillion is beside herself with worry. With no answers or rescue efforts forthcoming, she takes matters into her own hands, especially since her brother’s wife, Juliette is expecting their first child and needs him. She seeks out Joseph’s friend Captain Luke Crowe for help, but when she finds him, he doesn’t remember her and is dismissive. She returns home downhearted but isn’t ready to give up. And when Luke shows up at their house the next day to apologize, she tries to get him to agree to take her with him when his ship leaves for America – he refuses, he is leaving the next day and he isn’t willing to risk her reputation.

Luke is surprised to realize the lovely woman who tracked him down in the tavern was Joseph’s sister, she has changed since he last saw her. He feels bad about turning her down, but clearly, she is a temptation he wouldn’t be able to resist, and despite her brave words about not caring about her reputation, Luke is a gentleman and wouldn’t be able to see her ruined when there is no guarantee they would even be able to find Joseph. He tells her NO and believes that is the end of it, but when he finally makes his way to his cabin after his ship is well out to sea, he is stunned to find a sleeping Olivia in his bed. At that moment everything changes for Luke, he insists that she marry him and when she refuses, he introduces her to the crew as his wife, now he just has to convince her that marriage to him is more than just a duty.

This was a very short novella and ends without any resolution, not exactly a cliffhanger, but not a HEA either. I have to assume that there will be future installments that will ultimately end with a HEA, but I was led to believe that this story did end with their HEA. Anyway, it was a very quick, enjoyable, steamy read – but as the story takes place over just a few days and in that time there are a lot of conflicting statements made, I am not really sure how either one felt about the other, except they share a mutual attraction and passion is not a problem for them. I am sure it will all sort itself out and I will definitely read any additional installments that come out!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

A Problem Princess by Anna Harrington

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly RecommendedLeave a comment

A Problem Princess (Lords of the Armory #6)

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lords of the Armory #6
Publication Date: 4/11/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 355

This was an exciting, breath-holding, fingernail-biting, couldn’t-put-it-down, romantic end to an equally exciting and romantic series. While there is a complete end to Scepter and its leader, it comes at a large cost. It also brings our two wonderful protagonists together to find a very hard-earned HEA. Great writing, a great story, great characters, an exciting plot, and a sigh-worthy romance. With a story as exciting as this one, you need little pockets of heartwarming moments and a tad of wit – and you get all of that. One of my particular favorites was in the epilogue where they received word about the birth of the young princess Alexandrina Victoria to the Prince Regents’ uncle, Edward Augustus, the Duke of Kent. You’ll absolutely love our protagonists who are both exceptional people in their own right, but who each feel the need to be loved by a parent who is no longer there – a parent who, to their knowledge, was not all they should have been.

General Clayton Elliott, Home Office Undersecretary, and soon-to-be Viscount is NOT at all satisfied that the hanging of the Marquess of Hawking (A Remarkable Rogue) was actually the end of Scepter. He has no proof, he just feels it in his bones, and he is usually right about these things. He’s sure the real leader is on the continent – somewhere – but where? He’s also sure the remainder of the organization on English soil is just waiting for a signal from that leader before they rise up to overthrow the monarchy and the English way of life.

Her Serene Highness, Princess Cordelia of Monrovia, has accompanied her Uncle Ernest (Uncle Monrovia) on a state visit to England. Cordelia is quite sure that her reason for being told to accompany her uncle was so she could be paraded before England’s Royal Dukes in order to promote a royal marriage between their two countries. While Cordelia chafes at the restrictions on her, she knows it is her fate and she has no say in the matter. She obediently follows directions, shows no emotions, and offers no opinions – until she is left alone in a room and someone makes an attempt on her life. Thoroughly shaken, she profusely thanks her rescuer – and then has to rescue him! He’s a handsome and intriguing soul – and he rescued her – and . . . did we mention handsome?????

Cordelia can think of no reason why anyone would wish to murder her – but Clayton can. Could it be part of Scepter’s plan? What would it gain though? It would seem if it was Scepter’s plan, they would be attempting to take the lives of cabinet members, the Prince Regent, King George, one of the Royal Dukes – not a princess from a small, insignificant country on the continent.

Clayton does his best to keep Cordelia safe, but with more attempts on her life, he knows it is time for desperate measures – even at the risk of his own life. It may very well cost him his life because everybody from the Crown to the Home Office is blaming him – not to mention the villains are after him as well.

I highly recommend this excellently written story. The attraction between Cordelia and Clayton was intense and immediate – as was the danger – and it was a delight to watch it all play out to its final conclusion. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end because they shed light on where some of the ideas for the scenarios came from. I love how the author took those real-life events and seamlessly wove them into this exciting work of fiction. Great job!

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